Kurdish rebels reportedly to release some Turkish captivesMarch 6, 2013 - 17:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Kurdish rebel commander has said his fighters will release a group of Turkish soldiers and officials within a week as part of a peace process to end a 28-year-old insurgency, Reuters reported citing a news agency close to the rebels. Turkish officials began talks last October with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned on an island near Istanbul, with the aim of ending a conflict in which more than 40,000 people have been killed. As part of confidence-building steps, the PKK had been expected to release around a dozen Turks - most of them junior soldiers and police officials - whom it is holding at its bases in the mountains of northern Iraq. "Technical preparations are now being made. We have decided to hand over the state officials who we are holding captive within a week," PKK commander Murat Karayilan was quoted as saying by the Firat news agency. The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, took up arms against the state in 1984. Its initial separatist goals have been moderated over the course of the insurgency to demands for improved Kurdish rights and limited self-rule. Under a plan discussed by Ocalan and Ankara, the PKK would end hostilities and withdraw its fighters from Turkey as a prelude to disarmament in exchange for greater Kurdish rights, enshrined in the constitution. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |